The purpose of the The Legacy Trail Payne Park (Alderman MURT) Project is to develop an at grade trail to connect users from the Legacy Trail to Downtown Sarasota and vice versa, creating shorter distances for people walking, biking, or rolling (scooter, skateboard, roller skates, mobility assistance devices, etc.). The current junction for the Legacy Trail to Payne Park ends at School Ave on the eastern side of Payne Park and provides no connection to the west unless the user travels north on the path along the eastern boarder of the park continuing along School Ave to Ringling Blvd and then travels west towards Downtown. This project will also connect users to neighborhoods where bicycle lanes and multi-use paths exist. Additionally, trail users can also connect to Ringling Trail protected bicycle lanes and multi-use path where they can continue west toward the Bay, Downtown Core, St. Armands, or Lido Key. Project limits are South Payne Park from School Avenue at Legacy Trail Junction to Alderman Street/South Payne Parkway and East Avenue.

The City of Sarasota (CITY) applied for grant assistance through the Recreational Trails Program (RTP). The RTP is a federal grant program funded by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and administered at the state level by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). The RTP provides financial assistance for the development of recreational trails, trailheads, and trailside facilities. The FDEP awarded the CITY $400,000 to construct the S. Payne Park/Alderman MURT.

Project Goals:

• Address transportation at the neighborhood level and be inclusive, particularly for communities that have been historically underserved
• Create safe streets for all ages and abilities, particularly for those that are most vulnerable, such as the elderly, children, people walking and biking
• Create designs for choices beyond single-occupant automobiles
• Align transportation investments with sustainable growth and economic opportunity
• Prepare for and mitigate the impacts of climate change

For more information, contact:

Erik Isern, PE
Construction Project Manager
Capital Projects Manager - Public Works
Erik.Isern@sarasotafl.gov

Additional Information

Map of Project Location
Location Map and Directions
Recreational trails program (rtp) Presentation_FINAL
Meeting Minutes 2.17.2022
Recreational trails program (rtp) Presentation - Technical Advisory Committee 9.14.2022

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